In this essay two educational theorists, Maria Montessori and Friedrich Froebel, are discussed. To do this, I summarise their philosophies, compare them, and describe their approaches. The essay closes on my own personal reflections. The main aim of this essay, for me, is to arrive at a better understanding of both theorists’ outlooks on early education and come to my own conclusions regarding their approaches. The following section describes the two theorists’ philosophies, firstly focusing on
Montessori and then Froebel.
2. Montessori’s and Froebel’s philosophies
Many have agreed that Montessori’s philosophy has had a significant impact on the world of early years education. For example, Mooney (2000: 23) claims that “Montessori’s theories about children have influenced the way all
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Although there may be differences in their methods, it has been put forward that "both Froebel and Montessori sought to provide the most beneficial educational environment to promote each child's development" (Early Childhood Education, Froebel and
Montessori, 2013). The following section moves on to discuss both theorists’ contributions to the field of early childhood education.
3. Montessori’s and Froebel’s contribution to early childhood education
Mooney (2013: 22) confirms that Montessori's first opportunity to work with children came in 1907
"when she opened her first Casa dei Bambini (Children’s house) in the slums of Rome". She opened this school to compensate for the terrible conditions in many children’s homes (Mooney, 2013). The same author states that Montessori came to the conclusion that in order for a child to learn comfortably, they need furnishing and tools their own size to accommodate their small hands. Montessori implemented this through making "many of her own materials" (Mooney, 2013: 22).
As well as creating and using meaningful age-appropriate materials, Ridgway (2008: 16) explains
When considering this question there is a broad spectrum of what could be discussed in this essay, however I have chosen to concentrate on this aspect…..
read. This essay is here to prove that the message in his book can still be applied to the
The Montessori system of education was developed during the first half of the 1900’s by Dr. Maria Montessori as a result of her extensive research observations and experimental testing (Lillard, 2005, pp. 16-18). Dr. Montessori was of the belief that children contain an innate desire to learn and her research showed that, when given the
This essay discusses two great theorists Maria Montessori and Friedrich Froebel. First, I will evaluate and compare their similarities and differences in philosophy and methods of education. Furthermore, Montessori’s and Froebel’s influence and implementation on early childhood education. Finally, my personal view of theorists educational methods which I could use in practice with young children in early childhood and childcare education as a practitioner. I will discuss my own attitudes, values and beliefs related on reflection on learning from Maria Montessori and Friedrich Froebel.
In reality, the children move about the classroom independently, choosing the order of their learning activities. There may be 15 or more activities, or ?jobs? as they are called in some Montessori classrooms, occurring at the same time with small groups or individual work, yet the classroom remains quiet, yet busy and productive, sometimes with the soft hush of classical music playing in the background. Many Montessori school classrooms place a card around the child?s neck with the day?s objectives written in the form of a checklist for the students to monitor themselves. This checklist encourages the students to take responsibility for their own learning, as well as discourages prompt-dependence, since the student need not wait for instruction. Some of the activities in a Montessori classroom include reading, pre-reading using phonics, math, discovery science and writing. Children learn skills in a way that he or she is not aware that learning is taking place. For example, a child playing in the sand box with a small rake is not aware that he or she is learning fine motor skills and how to hold and control a pencil. Another observation in a Montessori classroom is that most classrooms tend to span three grade levels. This practice allows to children to become mentors to younger students. Also, the large gap in developmental levels allows children to ?learn at their own pace? (Keller, 2001), which is another important Montessori
DR Maria Montessori’s main discovery was the reality of a child’s true nature WHICH IS the NORMALIZED CHILD. She described the
Watching a small child discover how to operate his or her favorite plaything is awe inspiring. The look of wonder at the item as it's carefully chosen from amongst their belongings and studied ever so carefully for each and every nuance. How that little face lights up with each new discovery no matter how large or small. The sounds of delight an even dismay at an unwanted result are beautiful. Consider an educational system that would continue to utilize a child’s natural curiosity, unyielding ingenuity and thirst for knowledge. Montessori education creates that environment for children by allowing them the freedom to not only gain knowledge in a natural progression, but also provide a basis on which to continue to grow no matter where
Dr. Maria Montessori is the creator for the Montessori Education Method for a new world who devoted her life to improve children’s education excellence. Her educational method is widely used in schools or at home for children 3 t0 6 years old. Maria Montessori lived through one of the traumatic time eras of the world history, which changed everybody’s lives including children. It was the time of anxiety, cruelty, death, family separation and children facing starvation. Maria Montessori felt the best solution to overcome endless, war, violence and poverty is education. Therefore, Maria Montessori believed educating the next generation will improve children’s live and future of the
Dr. Maria Montessori was a keen observer of children. She used her observational and experimental proclivities from her medical background to develop, what we might today call, a Constructivist understanding of the process of learning. She studied them scientifically. If she saw some unusual behavior in a child, she would say,”I won’t believe it now, I shall if it happens again”. She studied the conditions in which the children would perform those actions.
Comment on the above statement and explain your understanding of the role of the educator in assisting the child in his development.
Inspired by the work of Itard and Seguin, two almost forgotten French doctors, Maria Montessori took the idea of scientific approach to develop her theories, principles and beliefs in early childhood education, which through observation and experimentation. All the learning activities and teaching materials are purposeful and aimed to stimulate senses, mind, and provide self-esteem and achievement.
Maria Montessori was the originator and founder of the Montessori Method. She was the first female to graduate as a doctor from her university in Italy. After graduation, Montessori's work with so called “idiot children” led to an interest in child development. (M. Beaver et al, 2001, p.379) After researching Montessori was convinced there was a need for special schools catering to children who presented learning disabilities.
Montessori realized the connection between science, psychology, and the education world and began to speak out at conferences about the subject. She also studied the needs of special education children and began to establish strategies of teaching the so called ‘degenerate’ children in society (Povell, 2007). Furthermore, she was a major impact on the woman’s movement in Italy, and believed in the fact of the “new woman”, so she pushed women to take leading roles in instructional reform. In addition to being an example of the “new woman”, she used that distinction to encourage the woman to struggle for their rights and win the distinction as an equal gender. (Hainstock, 1997) Despite her success, Musilini banished her from Italy because she didn’t teach the traditional Italian way, so she went to Spain and then the Netherlands where she died in 1952, after she was nominated three times for the Nobel Prize. However, her name and philosophy are still alive in many schools around the world. (Povell, 2007) With respect to education, Maria Montessori was influenced by the works of the physicians
When comparing and contrasting two teaching approaches, it is important to remember that although there is a myriad of different types i.e. Froebel, Montessori, Steiner etc., they all possess similarities and differences. Each individual approach has many fascinating points, however the Montessori and Steiner approach will be discussed in this essay. Montessori’s approach is based on the understanding that children have an inborn capacity to acquire information and to teach themselves when placed in an environment that allows freedom and independence to work at their own pace (Miller, 2010, p.71). Whereas Steiner’s approach is based on the understanding that children learn primarily through imitation and whatever is happening around them from
The term 'Montessori Philosophy' originated from the name of Dr. Maria Montessori, one of the most influential pioneers in early childhood education. She advised an education which combines a philosophy with a practical approach based on the central idea of freedom for the child within a carefully planned and structured environment. To analyze the above quote, we will have to know what it is in essence the